Budget & Taxes (Appropriations)

On July 15, 2026, the Governor of Hawaii returned Senate Bill 2600 to the Legislature after vetoing a specific funding provision. The bill originally sought to transfer $50 million from the state's general fund into the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund to comply with constitutional requirements for disposing of excess revenue. The Governor objected to this transfer, arguing that the reserve fund is already well-funded and that the money should be retained for other critical state needs. Consequently, the Governor used his line-item veto authority to reduce the appropriation for the reserve fund to just $1, effectively preventing the transfer of the $50 million.

This bill directs the Governor to inform the Hawaii Legislature that he signed Act 021 into law on May 21, 2026. The legislation provides an emergency appropriation of $14,248,126 to the Department of Human Services to reimburse funds used for food security efforts during a recent federal government shutdown. Additionally, it allocates $16,500,000 for the upcoming fiscal year to help cover health insurance premiums for residents who may lose federal coverage due to new federal policies. These funds are intended to support the Hawaii Emergency Food Assistance Program, the Hawaii Food Bank, and call center services while ensuring healthcare providers can continue to treat uninsured individuals.

PART I: Requires motor vehicles to have front number plate mounting brackets or devices and for sellers, licensed dealers, or owners to securely affix number plates to the vehicles. PART II: Amends the Traffic Code relating to street racing. PART III: Expands the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program to high-risk locations of state or county highways as determined by the Department of Transportation, under certain conditions. Appropriates moneys. PART IV: Authorizes the installation of a school bus infraction detection system on the exterior of a school bus. Establishes strict liability and the process for issuing summons or citations for drivers shown by the system to be in violation of certain school bus laws. Clarifies the liability of drivers near a school bus that is actively monitored by a school bus infraction detection system. Appropriates moneys. PART V: Specifies that the Department of Transportation's Motor Vehicle Safety Office shall administer the Photo Red Light Imaging Detector Systems Program Special Fund and Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program Special Fund. PART VI: Clarifies language relating to photo red light enforcement, automated speed enforcement, and penalty provisions. PART VII: Requires the Director of Transportation to adopt rules allowing for mobile vehicle safety inspections of passenger cars. Effective 7/1/3000; provided that part IV, except the rule-making directive and appropriation, effective 7/1/2028. (SD2)

This resolution formally supports the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group's request for additional resources and an extended timeline to complete its work during fiscal year 2026-2027. The Working Group, composed of representatives from various Native Hawaiian organizations, was established to develop solutions for protecting Native Hawaiian intellectual property from inappropriate appropriation. By approving this request, the legislature acknowledges the need for sufficient time to conduct culturally appropriate community consultations and ensure the group's recommendations reflect the collective views of Native Hawaiians.

Makes the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program permanent, with modifications that include changing the method for computation of interest for purchasers of certain real property. Expands the use of proceeds in the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to include purchasing equity in for-sale housing development projects and interim primary or secondary financing. Exempts disbursements from the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund from appropriation and allotment requirements. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

This bill is a governor's recommendation (GM 3) for the immediate passage of multiple emergency appropriation bills. It directs the legislature to approve urgent funding for specific state programs, including Public Employment Cost Items (through H.B. 2271/S.B. 3090 and similar paired bills), Department of Human Services (H.B. 2310/S.B. 3129 and S.B. 2211), and the University of Hawai'i (H.B. 2340/S.B. 3160). The bills provide emergency funding to address immediate budget needs for these state departments and programs. As a procedural recommendation, it does not change policy but accelerates funding approval for existing urgent requirements.

Appropriates general funds to various programs due to anticipated operating shortfalls because of the lack of authority to transfer funds between programs.

HB 2061 appropriates state funds to establish a gun buyback program, requiring at least two buyback events in every county each year. The bill directly affects residents who may participate in these events to exchange firearms for cash. Key provisions include dedicated funding allocation for program operations and mandatory event scheduling across all counties. This policy change creates a structured, statewide initiative for firearm buybacks without altering gun ownership laws.

Appropriates general funds to various programs due to anticipated operating shortfalls because of the lack of authority to transfer funds between programs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Appropriates moneys to certain programs for operations in FY26-27. Appropriates moneys into and out of the Major Disaster Fund to address disaster recovery and response costs. Allows the Governor to authorize the transfer to state agencies of up to $100,000,000 in funds appropriated out of the Major Disaster Fund to address an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare arising from an emergency. (CD2)